NOW CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 1
March 14, 2020
Hello,
Thank you for your understanding and patience as your Y monitors, evaluates and makes decisions based on the most up-to-date public health information.
As you already know, these are unprecedented times. There is no easily defined cou
rse of action in light of COVID-19 (coronavirus) now that it is a global pandemic and a national emergency.
It's particularly difficult for a nonprofit such as the YMCA. We are a people place. We build relationships. We are a home away from home. We are a family. It's why we are a critical community builder and shaper. Our proximity to people and communities is an organizational asset.
Except not at this time.
The nature of this virus and how it spreads presents significant challenges to how we deliver our mission and strengthen community.
That said, the Eugene Family YMCA has always evolved our mission to respond to what the community needs.
Now, we are closing our doors until April 1 to keep this contagious virus from spreading further. Health experts tell us that the virus is highly contagious and likely more widespread than the numbers suggest due to limited testing in our country thus far.
We know how dedicated our members are to the Y and health and wellness. In some cases, the only thing that will prevent someone from attending their beloved group fitness class is not having it.
So it is with a heavy heart--but your utmost safety and health in mind--that we close our doors until April 1. Our Y leaders are continually evaluating our procedures, guidelines and schedules based upon the best available data from national and local authorities.
Your Y understands that any time our doors are closed, our members feel an impact to their lifestyle. Y leaders are considering the organization's refund policy while weighing the nonprofit's long-term health. We are hopeful that our YMCA members will continue to support the Y through their membership fees at this unprecedented time. Please know that one of our goals is to work to ensure that when our doors reopen
your Y is fully operational
and immediately providing the programs and services you've come to count on.
We will still be providing limited services during some of this time. On March 23, we will reopen only for schools-out programming in an effort to help our community during this time of school closure.
Over the next week, we will be finding
new ways to provide support and programs to our members and our community at large. As always, we will keep you informed of any c
hanges.
Some of you already know that a Y employee has been tested for COVID-19.
As of 8 p.m. today,
w
e are still awaiting the results of our employee's COVID-19 test results. It may be several more days due to prioritization of testing by public health officials. In Lane County, there are 8 pending tests but no positive test results of the 32 that have been conducted.
As always, thank you for your patience and understanding.
In service to our community,
Brian Steffen
